A MAN who was arrested after DNA testing linked him to a vehicle crime has been sentenced to five months in prison.
Worcester magistrates were told that Scott Rothero was a passenger in a car which had been stolen from a car park in the city's Sidbury area.
"It was found on Blessed Edward RC High School's playing fields," said Mark Soper, prosecuting yesterday.
"There were tyre marks on the field and a rugby post suffered around £370 damage. A DNA test was done and it linked the defendant to the car.
"During his interview with the police he said he'd been in the vehicle but he couldn't remember what went on because he was drinking.
"He did recall hitting something but his memory was vague."
Rothero, of Ramsons Close, Malvern, admitted aggravated vehicle taking on Wednesday, January 19.
He also admitted breaching a community service penalty, and was re-sentenced for the original offence, which involved him assaulting a McDonald's employee.
Rob Macrory, defending, said the 21-year-old committed the offence in a McDonald's restaurant after consuming too much alcohol.
"This is something that he's not very proud of," he said. "Drink has been his downfall. He has very little memory of the vehicle taking incident. A cigarette was found in the back of the Metro car and this linked him to the scene.
"That would suggest that he wasn't driving the car because it was found in the back. He realises now that it was a stupid thing to do.
"He's ashamed to be before this court today, because he's trying to put his life back together.
"He's trying to cut down on his drinking and has started to address his problems."
For the original assault, Rothero was sentenced to three months custody and for aggravated vehicle taking he was sentenced to two months - to run consecutively.
He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £370 compensation to the school.
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